I am intimately familiar with the Original Kitchen Carousel. My father was an original and eventually the last partner owner of the Carousel Group of Norwalk CT. Previously he and his partners were employed by GardenWay located on the Post Rd in Norwalk CT. Around 1980 GardenWay combined their offices in Vermont. My father and partners were not interested in moving, and bought the Carousel rights.

For several years business was very good, they sold every carousel that could be produced. They were even making them in the UK. Eventually the carousel was knocked off in Hong Kong and after a few lawsuits, licensing and license infringements, and lots of money and plenty of stress Dad folded the company. Occasionally someone would approach him offering to fund another carousel venture, but by then his drive and will were beaten away.

The upshot is that only cheap imitations survive. Nothing compares to the Original Kitchen Carousel. It weighed 3lbs. and would withstand repeated drops of several feet. (which is why they are still in great shape today 20 years later) They are made from the same plastic they made telephones from. At the peak there were 4 or 5 colors, the best seller was almond. They were sold by mail order, catalog, and fine retailers such as Macy's Cellar. They cost roughly $22. At one point they were included with Frigidaire refrigerators. There was also a deal with Nestle.

I remember being in Litchfield Ct in a nice upscale mom and pop kitchen store. Dad inquired about a his carousel. The owner said, "oh you can get that at Bradley's" Bradley's was the equivalent of Walmart, and only the knockoffs would ever be sold there. Dad was fuming, he was so mad. The opposite side is that we would see the original carousel on kitchen shows and cooking shows. Sometimes tv and movies. Mr. Food on ABC always one on the counter.

The second product of The Carousel Group was the Stack & Spin. the first food organizer on a rotating base. The clear plastic canisters were triangular. There were three sizes, 3 inch, 6 inch and 9inch combo sets. The 3inch was perfect for leftovers in the refrigerator. Rubbermaid eventually had a cheap knock off of this one.

The injection molding tools for their products still exist somewhere long forgotten.

I have owned a GardenWay carousel for about 30 years . . .it works perfectly but the last 6 months it has started to discolor. Yesterday, as luck would have it, I was at an estate sale and was able to buy another one, in perfect condition. A stroke of luck! I LOVE my carousel and would not dream of being without out. I live in a mobile home where space is at a premium . . . it holds about 2 drawers worth of items. It's a shame they are not manufactured anymore. The most practical item I have ever purchased for my kitchen.